Hair screen



Nov. 26, 1963 A. REINSBERG 3,111,679

HAIR SCREEN Filed Jan. 2, 1962 Ifo/ff e United States Patent O 3,111,679 HAIR SCREEN Adolph Reinsberg, 140 S. Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, Calif. Filed Jan. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 163,738 6 Claims. (Cl. 2--174) The present invention relates to a new and improved flexible hair screen for protecting, a womans hair while she sleeps, drives, bathes, or is `otherwise engaged in an activity which would otherwise tend to disarrange her hair.

The present-day hair styles are tending to become more and more intricate and to become more and more susceptible to disarrangement. However, because these new hair styles, for the most part, -must be set in a beauty shop and therefore involve relatively expensive operations, itis of utmost importance to most women, for their hair, once set, to remain `so for an appreciable time.

Specifically, when in bed with her head resting on a pillow, a womans hair tends to become disarranged, so that even after the first night following a costly and timeconsuming hairset, she is likely to find her hair straggly, crushed and disordered.

The hair screen of the present invention is especially conceived to counteract situations such as outlined in the preceding paragraph. That is, the hair screen of the present invention is particularly intended to protect the elaborate present-day hair styles, for Iall the normal activities of the wearer, including sleeping, driving, bathing, shopping and so on.

The hair screen to be described may be composed, for example, of a stiff, resilient mesh material; such -as waterproofed plasticized nylon mesh, which is shaped vto llt closely, -but not too firmly to the hair. This particular material renders the hair screen light in weight, cool and comfortable to wear, and easily washable. iAlso, such -a hair screen is firm, and it has no tendency to flatten, even through temporarily pressed in when the head is on the pillow, for example, it quickly lllls out again.

The above characteristics of the hair screen of the present invention contrast with the usual prior art hair protective devices, such as wrap-around turbans, which are not only hot and uncomfortable, but also have a tendency to flatte-n and crush the hair.

As will. be described, the improved configuration of applicants unique hair screen, and its resilient mesh constituency, provides an yarticle which has no binding tendencies; which contains and immobilizes the hair, regardless of the head position, without crushing or flattening.

In the fabrication of a presently preferred embodiment of the improved hair screen of the invention, the mesh material is first cut on the bias, and it is then shirred to draw it in on the top and bottom, providing a hood-shaped article with an open top and bottom. This provides the desired hair-encompassing configuration. The `article is then provided with a binding formed of plastic or cotton, for example, at the edges of the open top and bottom.

An important feature of the improved hair screen of the invention is its adjustability, not only to different head sizes, but `also Ito any particular contour of the hair style to be protected. This provides` a wide flexibility, in that a single universal size of hair screen constructed in acvcordance with the concepts of the invention will nt any head size, large, small or medium. K Also, a unique :feature of the hair screen of the invention is the provision of -a flexible metallic wire which is inserted in the upper binding. -This wire allows the upper edge of the hair screen to be pleated to cause the hair screen to be drawn smooth over the hair, regardless of the contour or shape of the hair lstyle. This permits the wearer to draw the hair screen snug olver her hair, without any bulge `or other irregularities in its surface. There- 3,11 l,679 Patented Nov. 26, 1963 ice fore, when the hair screen of the invention is adjusted into place over the hair of the wearer, there is no tendency for the article to bulge. In addition, the lower binding acts ras a head band, fitting snugly yaround the nape of the neck of the wearer, under the ears and just under the hair line. rIherefore, the lower binding obviates Iany tendency for the hair screen to ride up the back of the head.

The embodiment of the hair screen of the present invention to be described is provided with Ian upper and a lower pair of fasteners at the front of the article. These fasteners are intended to be folded over one another, first the lower pair and then the upper pair, as will be described, and to be drawn over the front of the hair with the desired degree of snugness. The fasteners of each pair are fastened together by any convenient fastening means. A preferred fastener for this purpose is the type comprising two strips of material, one provided with a multiplicity of small plastic hooks :and the other with a pad-like substance, such as spun nylon. rI`l1e hools of the rst striprengage and seize into the pad of the second strip when the two strips are pressed together, thus forming a firm bond between the two strips. Fasteners of this type are known to the art, and are presently being marketed, for example, under the trade name Velcro When the hair screen is in place, with the lower and upper pairs of fasteners drawn together and fastened, the hair screen is held firmly and securely in position by the lower binding. The lower binding extends arouud the nape of the neck, under the ears, and across the forehead, so that the hair screen wont ride up in .the back of the wearers head or droop down in the front. As described, the hair screen is drawn smooth and snug over the hair by defo-rming the flexible metal wire in the top binding after the bottom and top pairs of fasteners have been fastened, so yas to pleat the top binding and reduce its circumference.

Another feature of the hair screen to be described is the extension of the top binding and of the flexible metallic wire down the forward edge o-f each of the flaps. This provides added stability for the article, and prevents the flaps from becoming tangled and enmeshed in the hair while the hair screen is being set in place.

A general object yof the invention, therefore, is to provide `an improved and unique hair screen which is light and comfortable to Wear, and which can be conveniently and simply lltted to all hair styles and head sizes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent lfrom a `consideration of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE l is a front view of a hair screen fabricated in accordance with the concepts of the invention, and with the 'front integral ilaps in an open position;

|FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, substantially on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, and showing -a flexible metallic wire which is mounted within the binding of the hair screen of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 illustrates a first step in the fitting of the hair screen of the invent-ion over the hair of a wearer;

FIGURE 4 illustrates a second step in which the front integral flaps of the hair screen of the invention are folded over one another and fastened in place;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view, substantially on the line v5--5 of FIGURE 4, and showing the manner in which the integral llaps of FIGURE 4 are fastened to one another;

FIGURE 6 illustrates a subsequent operation in which the metallic wire in the top binding ofthe hair screen of the invention is pleated and deformed so as to draw the hair screen taut over the hair of the wearer; and

FIGURE 7 shows the hair screen of the invention in 3 place on the head of the wearer in its hair-protective position.

The hair screen illustrated in the drawing is composed lof a resilient mesh material. As noted, the material is shirred at the top and bottom thereof to provide a hooded head-encomapsslng conliguration. The hair screen 10 has an open top and an open bottom. The hair screen includes a pair of integral flaps l12 and 14 at the front thereof.

A binding 16 com-posed, for example, of plastic, cotton or other suitable material, is sewed around the edge of lthe open top of the hair screen 10, rand the binding extends down the front edge of the liap 12 and down the front edge of the flap 14.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, a flexible metallic wire 18 is supported in the binding 16, so that the lwire extends around the top edge of the hair screen 10, and down the forward edge of the liap 12, and down the forward edge of the flap 14.

The hair screen 10 also includes a binding 20 which, likewise, may be Vcomposed of plastic, cotton or other suitable material, and the binding 20` extends around the bottom of the hair screen.

A top fastener strip 22a is sewn, or otherwise afxed, to the upper edge of the flap 141; and a mating top fastener strip 22b is sewn, or otherwise affixed, to the upper edge of the flap 12. Likewise, a lower strip fastener 24a is sewn, or otherwise `affixed to the lower corner of the flap 14, and a mating lower strip yfastener 24h is sewn, or otherwise aixed Ito the lower corner of the ap 12.

As mentioned above, the strip fasteners 22a and 24a may each include a multiplicity of minute plastic hooks, and the strip fasteners 22h and 24b may each be formed of a suitable material to be engaged and seized by the hooks, when the strips `are pressed together, as shown in FIGURE 5.

The hair screen 10 may be formed of a plasticzed nylon mesh, for example. When the hair screen is yformed of such a material, it has the desired resilient characterist-ics, and it is also light and cool to wear, and easily washable. The liexible metallic wire 18 may be, for example, a thin aluminum wire having a diameter of .03 inch. The flexible wire is sewn into -the blinding 16 and, as mentioned, it may be bent and pleated to further the adjustability of the hair screen of the invention in the described manner.

As shown in FIGURE 3, the hair screen 10 of the invention has a cap shape. As a first operation in putting on the hair screen 10, the flaps 12 and 14 are opened, and the hair screen is placed -on the head, like a cap, and drawn up over the hair from behind the head. rl`he bottom edge of the hair screen is rst tucked under the hair in the back before it is brought up over the head so that the lower binding 20- engages the nape of the neck. 'The hair screen is then moved up over the hair to the position shown in FIGURE 3, and the aps I12 and `14 are fitted on the forehead and folded over one another to the posit-ion shown in FIGURE 4 so that the lower binding 20 crosses the forehead just under the hairline. The bottom lfasteners 24a and 24h are first pressed against one another to fasten the lower edges of the flaps in place, so that the lower binding 20 extends tightly around the nape of the neck, under the ears and across the forehead. This holds the hair screen firmly in place, and readies it for the next step. Then, the upper lfasteners 22a and 22h are pressed together to fasten the upper portion of the iiaps, after the hair screen 10 has been drawn relatively snugly over the contour of the particular hair style of the wearer.

Then, as shown in FIGURE 6, the exible wire 18 in the upper binding 16 is bent and configured with the fingers to pleat the upper binding 16 and to reduce the circumference of the upper edge of the hair screen. This latter adjustment, in conjunction with the adjustment prior to fastening Ithe .top fasteners 22a, 2212, permits the .L -hair screen to be drawn smooth and snug over the hair of the wearer, so yas to be free of bulges and the like.

After the above described adjustments have been made, and as shown in FIGURE 7, the hair screen of the invention is fitted neatly .and smoothly over the hair of the wearer. The article is now in a position to protect the hair in that it completely encompasses the hair so as to imnrob-ilize it, and yet has no tendency to flatten or press against the head. As shown, the hair screen of the invention is firmly held in place, without any tendency to ride up or down, d-ue to the cap-like shape of the article, and the rm engagement of the Ilower binding 201 around the neck and forehead of the wearer.

The invention provides, therefore, an improved hair screen which is preferably formed of a light waterproofed resilient mesh material to be light and `comfortable to wear. The improved hair screen of the invention is most advantageous in that it can be quickly and conveniently fitted to all head sizes, and to all hair styles, regardless of the contours thereof.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, modications may be made, and it is intended in the claims to cover all such modifications as `fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A hair screen including a body portion having a top edge and a bottom edge and composed of a resilient mesh material shirred at the top and bottom edges thereof to provide a hooded head-encompassing configuration, integral flaps form-ed :at the front of said body portion toI be folded over lone another to .a closed condition so as to iit the hair screen in place :on the head of the wearer; releasable fastener means mounted on said flaps releasably to hold the aps in la closed condition; a binding formed 'around the top edge 1of said body portion; and a flexible metallic wire supported in said binding around the top edge of the body portion and being capable of being configured so as to pleat the top edge :of the body portion and draw vthe hair screen snugly around the hair of the wearer.

2. 'Ihe hair screen of claim 1 in which Isaid binding `around the top edge of the hair .screen extends down the forward edge of each of said diaps, and in which said iiexible metallic wire likewise extends down the forward edge of each of said flaps.

3. A cap-like hair screen including a body portion composed of a resilient mesh material having an upper edge 'and a lower edge and shaped at the upper and lower edges thereof tto provide a hooded head-encompassing configuration, integral flaps formed `at fthe front of said body portion to be folded over one another to a closed condition so as to fit the hair screen in place ion the head of a wearer; an upper yand a lower pair of releasable fasteners mounted on said flaps respectively Iadjacent the upper and lower edges of said body portion; an upper and a lower binding respectively formed around the upper land lower edges :of said body portion; and fa ilexible metallic wire supported in said upper binding around the upper edge of said body portion and capable 'of being configured so as to pleat the upper edge of said body portion and ydraw the hair screen snugly around the hair of the wearer.

4. The hair `screen of claim 3 in which said lower binding firmly engages the nape of the neck and the forehead of the wearer when the hair screen is in position firmly to hold the hair screen on the head of the wearer.

5. A hair screen composed of a mesh material including ya body portion having a top edge land having a hooded head-encompassing configuration; said hair screen having integral i-aps each having a top edge 'and a bottom edge `formed at the front of said body portion to be folded over one another to a closed condition to fit the hair screen in place on the head of a wearer; releasable fasteners on said 'iaps releasably to hold the same in a closed condition, each of said releasable fasteners comprising a pair of strips, `one of the strips of each pair yhaving a multiplicity of hooks formed therein and the other strip of each pair being formed of a material cap able :of being engaged and seized by said hooks when the strips are pressed together, one of said pair of strips being disposed adjacent the bottom edge of said flaps and the other of said pair of strips being disposed y'adjacent the top edge of said flaps; `and a flexible metall-ic Wire supported around the top edge olf bio-dy portion :and being cap-able of being configured so as to pleat said body portion and draw the hair Iscreen snugly around the head of the wearer.

6. A hair screen including a body portion having a top edge |and a bottom edge -and having la hooded headencompassing configuration, integral 11a-ps formed at the front of said body portion to be folded over one another ito a closed condition `so as to flt the hair screen in place on the head of .the wearer; -releasabile fastener means mounted on said flaps releasably to hold the flaps in a closed condition; a binding formed around the top edge of -said body portion; and means supported in siaid binding around the top edge of the body portion land being capable of pleating the ktop edge of lche body portion to draw the hair screen snugly around the hair of the wearer.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,568,097 Smith Jan. 5, 1926 2,007,353 riiarantoius July 9, 1935 2,101,734 Chapple Dec. 7, 1937 2,1268,422 Rogers Dec. 30, 1941 2,411,994 Hoirnia-n Dec. 3, 1946 2,640,198 Mullen June 2, 1953 2,706,861 Schmeer Apr. 26, 1955 2,717,437 De Mestral Sept. 13, 1955 2,832,961 Weiss May 6, 1958 3,014,221 Brunetto Dec. 126, 1961 3,064,267 Tullo Nov. 20, 1962 3,076,972 Prophet et al. Feb. 12, 1963 FOREIGN PATENTS 805,809 Germany May 31, 1951 

1. A HAIR SCREEN INCLUDING A BODY PORTION HAVING A TOP EDGE AND A BOTTOM EDGE AND COMPOSED OF A RESILIENT MESH MATERIAL SHIRRED AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM EDGES THEREOF TO PROVIDE A HOODED HEAD-ENCOMPASSING CONFIGURATION, INTEGRAL FLAPS FORMED AT THE FRONT OF SAID BODY PORTION TO BE FOLDED OVER ONE ANOTHER TO A CLOSED CONDITION SO AS TO FIT THE HAIR SCREEN IN PLACE ON THE HEAD OF THE WEARER; RELEASABLE FASTENER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID FLAPS RELEAS- 